Local govt mismanagement to be assessed

The former South Australian attorney-general, Trevor Griffin, will lead an independent assessment into local government mismanagement.

Mr Griffin will look at the issues of incompetence and maladministration raised last month by the State Ombudsman, Ken McPherson.

Alexandrina, Marion, Mount Barker and Burnside councils will be involved in the review, which is expected to take up to six months to complete.

Mr Griffin says he wants to review all local government practices, not just the poor performers.

"In the whole scheme of things those issues need to be addressed and the Local Government Association quite properly is proposing to develop a plan to work through those issues," he said.

"I'm sure that if there are a number of issues they'll be properly examined, there'll be structures developed to deal with them in the future and I think that we - going on what I've been told so far - will be a very positive outcome."